Cutting machine



July 5, 1949. H. G. wHl'rMoRE 2,475,558

' CUTTING MACHINE Filed Sp- 2, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 Bm A A, l *l HIE/my WH/TMORE :H l orneya' July 5, 1949. H. G.` wHlTMoRE CUTTING MACHINE 2 sheet-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 2, 1944 u s A H w J E ZZZCA Zan/v Em me d n, 5 9 M zza Patented July 5, 1.949

TED: S TAT ES OFFICE CUTTING MACHINE Henry G. Whitmore, Newburyport, Mass. `Application september 2, 1944. serial\No.l552,463

(cmi- 1) x 4 Claims. y1

This inventionrelates` to a machine'for accurately performing any" type of work operation that can be performed .by a rotating tool, as \for example, drilling`,' boring; counte'rboring, and like operations.

These operations are usually-performed on a jig-borer or ther suitable machine which as conventionally constructed usually consists of a vertical' column and `basecombined which supports aftool spindlelanda worktable adjustable both longitudinally and transversel'y relativeV to the tool spindle support. "The adjustment and movementoi: this'work table is wholly dependent upon how squarethe, machine' ways are and how long' they' remain' square. Inasmuch as anyvar- 15r iationin these surfaces will cause a reflection of such' variation in the work; the conventional jigborer or other suitable machineis not always accurate for all work operations, and moreover theran'ge'of such machine isseverelyllimite'dbyl 20 the circumstances that the work must be brought to the machine" and mounted on the work table.

The broad object of lmy invention is to avoid. the disadvantages of4 conventional machines by providing a'machinein'which at all times the 25 diierent adjustments or movements are under" positively accurate contrl. This enables my machine to'accurately handle a much greater range and capacity of'work than canbe handled on existing' machines.

vOther objects'and advantages will appear as this" description proceeds.

" In` the "drawings :v

Fig 1 isa front end view of my' machine.

"Figi "2 is a topplan View thereof- Fig.l `3 is a: transverse sectional view on the line 3*-43- ofFg,"` 1, Fig; 4 isan enlarged;` fragmentary portion of` a.' part of the'machine' and showing a dial-type nfiea'suringJ device mountedthereon,` A j Fig. 5 is an enlargedffragmentaryside view of I the beam locking `and beam adjusting. mechanism of vmyA improved machine,`

'-Fig.' 6 is'an enlarged,` vertical sectional View on the linef-G--lof'A Fig. l, and

Fig. `17 `is a longitudinal sectional view on the motoredriveni rotatable i tool spindle i* 26"V Which is: 55

preferably mounted on saidbeam 6 for both'vertical and rotatableangular adjustment relative thereto. `The upper ortop face of the beam lhas removably secured thereto a `stop member I6 adapted to cooperate Ywith a second stop` member to be hereinafter described, to 'assist in the proper setting or adjustment ofthe machine. `The said posedbetweentheball points l1 and IlA during thetesting operation necessary to insure the properrighteangularrelation between the axes of the 4beams4"and-16"and during the time when' the'stop' I6is fully engaged by al stopv associated with beam 6, all in a` manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

One of the main advantages of'my machine is that it may be` usedupon `any type offoundation,`

other than its own base, asfor example, to periormvared work onjboard ship or` elsewhere, regardless "of either thedimensions of the work or the angle at whichthe `Work may beresting.

To "accomplish this'I'` provide a vertical jack` screw 3'A of anydesired' length adapted for insertionwithin internally threadedl holes extending vertically through beamsll and 5 at each of the four corners of the" machine. These screws are threaded into holes 4C and 5C extending vertically through thelongitudinal beams 4 and 5 near theends'thereof. Theflower ends of these screws react againstanysupportwhen the beams 4,"5 and'S and thetpartsA carried thereby are removed` from the four columns '3` andare placed upon a suitable supporting surface, and depending upon the direction in whichthescrews are turned, will raise or'lowersaid beams, asthe case may be.

Should the work to be operated upon present `a surface whichis" not level,` the screws 3A are adjusted untilthe beamsll, 5'an'd- 6 are indicated;

as parallelwith'suchxsurface. In such uses, the elements I, 2 -andi are notneeded and hence would not be used, as the screws are long enough ton provide a certain distance of elevation which can readily be'a-ugmentd by blocking `under them to anydesiredheight;

i Beam-a is adjustable longitudinauy along beams #fand-l5; andisfalso `capa-bleef being"rotated*y angularly *to' -a`V limited-extent, say through approximately 90 around a horizontal axis at right angles to beam 4, i. e., about the axis of beam 6.

To accomplish the longitudinal adjustment of beam 6, `beam 4 is provided with a pair of V-slots 4A constituting a dovetail along the entire length of the inner face of beam 4, to which dovetail is gibbed and fitted a slide 9 to which the beam 6 is pivotally connected for limited rotation about its axis in a manner to be hereinafter described. Slide 9 contains a threaded nut 9C within which fits a feed screw 4B operated by a hand wheel I3. By turning this screw, slide 9 and with it the beam 6 is caused to travel longitudinally along beam 4. The side of slide 9 opposite to that to which the beam 6 is pivotally attached, is provided with a stop I bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the said slide 9, this stop being adapted to Contact stop I6 when said last-mentioned stop is positioned on the upper face of beam 4 during the setting or adjusting of the machine in a manner to be hereinafter described. A locking screw 2IC extends through the upper portion of slide 9 with the lower end of said screw bearing on the surface of the upper groove 4A or on the surface of the gib which engages said groove, this locking screw serving to rigidly secure the Slide in adjusted position along the length of beam 4 and being capable of release to permit said slide 9 to be moved back and forth along said beam 4.

The outer end of beam 6 is supported by, :and

pivotally mounted in, bearing block II which is channeled along its lower edge to slidably fit beam 5, the width of the space between the side walls defining said channelled portion being slightly in excess of the width of the beam 5 to permit said block II to slide along the length of said beam. The movement of said block along said beam 5 approximately follows the longitudinal movement of slide 9 as imparted by feed screw 4B, and said block is locked in its adjusted position by means of set screw 2|.

To accomplish the rotative adjustment of beam 6 about its longitudinal axis, said beam has a .journal 6B at its inner end adapted to i'lt within a bearing 9A in slide 9 (see Fig. 3) and at its outer end said beam 6 is provided with a journal 6C which is received within a bearing IIA in the bearing block II (see Fig. 3).

The position of block II longitudinally of beam 5 is controlled by an adjusting block I2 which, like block II, is channeled along its lower edge to slidably fit beam 5 and is locked in any desired position therealong by means of set screw 2IA.

Block II is adjustable for relatively short distances with respect to block I2 and along the length of beam 5 by means of screw 24 which is freely rotatable within block I2 and which is locked against axial movement within said block by means of a collar 24B pinned to said bolt at the side of block I2 opposite the head of screw 24, whereby the screw 24 may be rotated but is held against axial movement. The threaded end of screw 24 engages within an internally-threaded bore in the bearing block II, it being obvious that rotation of the screw 24 will vary the distance betweel blocks II and I2. When it is desired to move block I I and the outer end of beam 6 journaled thereon, set screw 2I of block II is loosened, set screw 2IA is tightened, and screw 24 is rotated in the direction necessary to increase the space or decrease the space between the inner, adjacent faces of these two blocks. By turning screw 24 in the proper direction block II,

4 and with it the outer end of beam 6, may be forced to travel along beam 5 for a relatively short distance until the axis of said beam 6 is square with the axis of beam 4, after which block II is locked in its adjusted position by means of set screw 2|.

In order to permit longitudinal adjustment of spindle 26 along beam 6 and transversely with respect to beams 4 and 5, I provide beam 6 with a pair of V slots 6A, one of said slots extending along each of the upper and lower faces of the said beam near the front face thereof and constituting a dovetail extending the length of said beam, which dovetail is gibbed to and ts within, a dovetail slot IIIA in the head I0 of a slide 22. Adjustment of head Ill on beam 6 is accomplished by feed screw 6D, operated by a hand wheel I4, and such adjustment is held by a clamp screw'2 IB. The slide 22 comprises spaced, parallel, vertically-extending side members 22E, connected at their upper ends by cross member 22F, and connected at their lower ends by cross member 22G.

In order to permit vertical adjustment of spindle 26 relative to the work, the inner, opposed faces of side members 22E are each provided with vertically extending grooves 22B (Fig. 7), which are engaged by ribs 22F1 carried at the sides of a block 22H having an internally-threaded bore parallel to the ribs 22F, said block 22H having a circumferentially grooved journal 221 disposed within an opening in the face of slide I0 and retained therein by means of a screw-pin 22J, whereby the block 22H may rotate about its pivs otal mounting in slide I0 and may be locked in any desired position by means of the screw pin or bolt 22J. The longitudinal feed of slide 22 and of the parts carried thereby may be had through a feed screw 22C operated by a hand wheel 22A, which feed screw is free to rotate within an opening in cross member 22F and is prevented from axial movementV within said cross member by suitable washers 22K and 22L disposed above and below the cross member 22F f and pinned or otherwise secured to said feed screw.

Slide 22 may be adjusted through 360 relative to head I0. Such adjustment may be held by the locking screw 22J, the inner end of said screw extending into the groove in the journal 221 and being movable into rigid contact with the base of said groove when it is desired to retain the slide 22 in adjusted angular position with respect to the block. I6. The cross member 22G of slide 22 is provided with a circumferentiallygrooved journal 22D which fits within a-bearing IBA on the adjacent face of the motor housing I8 of the tool Spindle. A locking pin or screw IBB has its inner end extending into the groove in journal 22D, and said locking pin or screw IBB may be moved inwardly into firm contact with the bottom wall of thegroove to lock the motor housing in its adjusted angular position with respect to the slide 22. This enables spindle 26 to be adjusted through 360 relative to slide 22. Instead of employing the grooved journal 22D and locking pin or screw ISB, the adjustment may be held by any conventional means such as T-bolts and slots, or the like.

Adjustment of the spindle 2I about the axis of the beam 6 is had through the fact that beam 6 is provided at its ends with the journals 6B and y6C which permit said beam to be rotated in the bearings 9A and I IA, the extent of such rotation being limited to approximately 90, due to the amate contact `between .feed` screw` 6DV and l the i top Wall oftblock I I,\i.\e., the beam .6 `is readily rotatable to andfrom apositionvshownin Fig. 5 to` and from a position wheretthe screw 6D `would contact the top surface `of block Il. This adjustment is held by clamps and clamp screws indicatedigenerally at I9 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The weight4 of members Ill,f22 and I8 `may becounterbalanced by a `counterweight 1 `secured to the rear face of beam 6by bolts 1A.

In adjusting my-machine for aconventional workoperation, Ifiirstk check the machine to make surethat` both longitudinal beams 4 and 5 fare the1 proper height aboveY the .base or work, as the casamay be, andthattransverse beam 6 is prop-` erlysquared with respect tothe beams 4 and5, i., e., .that the axis of beam v6 `is exactly normal. tothe axis ofbeams 4 and,5.

-After loosening .thelockscrew 2I of block Il, looseninglock;` screWZIA of block I2, andlooseningu-lock `screw 21C"` of block 9 .I then adjust transverse beam v6 longitudinally with respect tothebeam 4 `untilstops I5 and I6 .contact each other. Stop .I5. is carriedby the block 9 as previously explained,.and.has its stop surface, i. e., the surfaceadapted 4to contactstop I6, located preferably` on the center line of the beam 6. Stop I.6.is;removably located onthe upper face of beam 4i as` previously explained, and has its stop surface disposed for `contact bythe stop surface of stop-I5. `When the beam6 is moved along the beams-land 5. to a position where stops I5 and t6 are `incontact, Inext lock .the slide 9 at the inner end ,of beam itobeam 4by means of a lock screw. 2IC or the like, and then .lock adjusting block..l2-to.the beam5 by ,means of clamp screw ZIA. Them by means .of screw 24,- I move the block` II- and. with it the Houter end of beam 6 until a. test rod Vof .predetermined -xed length, such as the rod` I.IB, willexactly fit. between the opposed surfaces ofthe xedball points I1` and. IlAupon beams 4` and 6, respectively. Rod IIB` forms the Ahypotenuse, `minusone-half the diametenof each ball point, of .a predetermined right triangle.` This insures that the axes of beams Land 6 will be atrightfanglesfto each other, i. e.,A

square withy one anothenbecause ball point ITA ispreferably located. on the center line of beam 6i.e.on thetop surface of said beam in a plane passing through the axistof said beam 6, as isv also stop..l5.

When scluaring` upthe machine by establishing an exact right triangle by bringing the stops I5 and:` I6 in contactand b y inserting `the test rod IFI-A ,between` ball points IFI` and `I'IA it will be apparent that the baseof `such triangle is parallel to the axis of longitudinal beam 4, that one leg-isparallel tothe axisof transverse beam 6, andithat` the hypotenuse` ot saidtriangle is establishedby Vthe:.center distance between the twoballipoints I'I and FIA. The three sides of` this right triangle are of the `proper ratio to one anotherthus insuring that the `axis. of beam 6 willbeeperfectly square with theaxisof beam 4. In a machinemade in accordance with my present invention, `the hypotenuser ofl the above referred tri-triangle isl40\long, and the legs Iare 24" and` 32.", respectively. Thus the `soluareof the hypotenuseexactly 'equalsthe sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Stops-l5 and I6, test-,rodi ITIB, and ball points I'I and IIIA, shouldallebe `in light contact to complete .thefsquaringzup-of thefmachine. Inasmuchasl` any :movement of, ,one relative to the.` other is` likely Vto. alter the.: preliminary adjustment, ,.these,

' between the `axis `of-beams 4 and 6.

adjustments-should be. repeatedly checked until perfect contactof said elements is obtained.

, :The machine is; constructed `with `conventional sliding clearance .between the slide 9' and the beaml 4 and betweentheblock II andthe beam 5. Therefore, whenfthe beam -islmoved along the longitudinal beams Land 5 byoperation of the feed screw 4b which engages only the slide `9, the inherent tendency` willbe for the -opposite end ofthe beamli to lag behind in `this `movement thus destroying` the `right angular relationship It is the objectief this invention then to provide means for adjusting thebeam 6 back to the right angular relationship originally achieved.

Whilethe above described method of forming the-right` triangle is` preferable, it is `evident that the ball points andthe stopsl might be locatedin other positions so long as their location will compel the axesl of beams 4 and 6 `toi-be square with each other.

To makesure `that squareness is maintained during the subsequent operation of the machina, Lmount a test indicator device upon the forward outer end of beam 4. As shown, this test indicator` deviceconsists `of one or more conventional end measuring rods of vwell known type, adapted to be placed in slot 4A on the upper surface of beam 4, and a dial indicator 8A `placed at they front end of beam 4- with the spring-actuated plunger 8B; of saidfdial-indicator projecting for a short distance into and above the Walls -delning the slot 4A,but other `measuring devices may be usedtas for example, a scaleand Vernier mightl be substituted for the indicator 8A yand end` measuringvrods. The. necessary length of end measuring rods, including, if desired, an insidemicrometer, is now placed. in slot 4A to extendfr from the end. 'of the spring-actuated plunger 8B to thefront face of the block 9 and ,to-completely and accurately iill the space betweenwthe end of said plunger and said block.

Dial indicator 8A is `now adjusted to` zero by actuation of the bezel of said indicator. The same end .measuring rods, or a measuring rod` or rods equal or `equivalent to the total length thereof, which formerly were resting in V-slot 4A of beam 4 are now placed in V-slot 5A of beam 5, to which is added `a relatively short end` measuring rod of al length equal to the difference indistance between the front face of slide !lV andl the axis of beam 6, minus the distance between the front face of block I I and the axis of beam Ei.`

A second dial indicator 8C', which is movably mounted on the upper or top surface of the beam Within slot 5A and the additional lengthof rod.`

has been inserted as above described, the assembly of rods vwithin said slot 5A is moved to a position where Vits inner end abuts the forward side face of block lil, after which the dial indicator 8C is moved.` inwardly until the inner end of the spring-actuated plunger 8D thereof contacts the outer end` of the rods in slot 5A- The ends whereupon the indicator is set to Zero. of beam 6 are now positively located, so that the stop I6 may now be removed from the machine seas not to` interferewith subsequent movements 7 bf beam 6' along beams 4' andy 5. The test rod I1B previously positioned between the ball-points IIl and I1A is now removed from position. The end measuring rods which were transferred from slot 4A to 5A are now removed from slot '.iA.`

From this point on, any longitudinal movement of beam 6 may be kept perfectly square by using the same end measuring rods and/or an inside micrometer in slots 4A and 5A, and moving these rods from one slot 4A to the other 5A while keeping the additional rod always in the slot 5A of beam 5, after the measurement has been taken in the rst slot 4A, all as above described, it being noted that the additional rod above referred to is of a length equal to the difference in distance between the front face of slide 9 and the aXis of beam 6, minus the distance between the front face of block Il and the axis of said beam 6.

The transverse movement of the sliding head I0 is controlled by the use of end measuring rods, indicator 8E, or other conventional devices in the conventional manner, the top and bottom faces of beam 6 being provided with V slots 6A which extend for the entire length of the beam and are parallel to its axis, said slots being of substantially V shape and forming on the front face of beam 6 a dovetail adapted to slidably receive the correspondingly dovetailed slide l0, the uppermost of said slots also adapted to receive an end measuring rod or a series of such rods which may be disposed in said slot to extend between the surface of the right side of block l0, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, and the spring-actuated plunger 8F of the dial indicator 8E.

Various modications in the construction and mode of operation of my machine may obviously be resorted to within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine tool comprising a pair of longitudinal beams disposed in spaced apart parallel relationship to each other, a transverse crossbeam slidably carried at the opposite ends thereof by said pair of longitudinal beams, a rotatable spindle adjustably carried by said cross-beam, screw means operatively connected to one end of said cross-beam for slidably moving said cross-beam relative to said pair of longitudinal beams, clamping means carried by said one end of said cross-beam for locking said one end relative to the adjacent one of said pair of longitudinal beams, means carried by the other of said pair of longitudinal beams and connected to the opposite end of said crossbeam for effecting limited adjustment of said opposite end independently of said screw means, first measuring means carried by said rst longitudinal beam for indicating the position of said one end of said cross-beam relative to said iirst longitudinal member, second measuring means carried by said other longitudinal beam for indicating the position of said opposite end of said cross beam relative to said other longitudinal beam, third measuring means carried by said cross-beam for indicating the position of said spindle relative to said cross-beam, and checkingl means engageable between said cross-beam and said rst longitudinal beam for preliminarily checking the squareness vof said cross-beam rela-i tive to said first longitudinal beam at one position of said cross-beam, whereby said clamping means,A said means carried by said other longitudinal beam and connected to said opposite end, and

said checking means are effective to preliminarily set said cross-beam square relative to said first longitudinal beam; said first and second measur ing means, said clamping means, and said means carried by said other longitudinal beam and connected to said opposite end provide means forl adjusting said cross-beam square to said first longitudinal beam at all subsequent positions of said cross-beam; and whereby, said first and third measuring means provide means for spotting said rotatable spindle relative to the work piece.

2. A machine tool comprising a pair of longitudinal beams disposed in spaced apart parallel relationship to each other, a transverse crossbeam slidably carried at the opposite ends thereof by said pair of longitudinal beams, a rotatable spindle adjustably carried by said cross-beam, screw means carried by one of said longitudinal beams engaging the related end of said crossbeam for slidably moving said cross-beam relative to said pair of longitudinal beams, means carried by the other of said pair of Ylongitudinal beams and connected to the opposite end of said cross-beam for effecting limited longitudinal adjustment of said opposite end relative to said pair of longitudinal beams independently of said screw means, checking means engageable between said cross-beam and said first longitudinal beam for preliminarily checking the squareness of said cross-beam relative to said first longitudinal beam at one position of said cross-beam, measuring means carried by each of said pair of longitudinal beams for indicating the position of the related ends of said cross-beam relative to said pair of longitudinal beams', other measuring means on said cross-beam for indicating the position of said spindle relative to said cross-beam, whereby said checking means and said means for effecting limited adjustment of said opposite end of said cross-beam provide means for preliminarily squaring said cross-beam relative to said first longitudinal beam at one position of said crossbeam; said measuring means carried by said pair of longitudinal beams, and said means for effecting limited adjustment of said opposite end of said cross-beam provide means for adjusting said cross-beam square to said rst longitudinal beam at all subsequent positions of said cross-beam; and whereby, said measuring means on said rst longitudinal beam and said measuring means carried by said cross-beam provide means for both longitudinal and lateral spotting of said rotatable spindle.

3. The machine tool of claim 1, wherein said ymeans carried by the other of said pair of longitudinal beams for effecting limited adjustment of said opposite end of said cross-beam consists of a bearing block slidably carried by said other longitudinal beam and supporting said opposite end, an adjusting block also slidably carried by said other longitudinal beam, clamping means for locking said adjusting block relative to said other longitudinal beam, and an adjusting screw rotatably carried by said adjusting block and threadedly engaging said bearing block, whereby when said adjusting block is locked relative to said other longitudinal beam, said screw provides means for adjusting said bearing block and said opposite end of said cross-beam relative to said other longitudinal beam.

4:. A machine tool comprising a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam disposed in spaced apart parallel relationship to each other, a transverse cross-beam slidably carried at the opposite ends thereof by said longitudinal beams, a rotatable spindle carried by said cross-beam and adjustable along the length thereof, screw means on said first longitudinal beam threadedly engaging one end of said crossbeam for slidably moving said cross-beam relative to said longitudinal beams, checking means for initially checking the squareness of said crossbeam relative to said rst longitudinal beam at one position thereof, said checking means consisting of a stop on said iirst longitudinal beam and a stop on said cross-beam for contact with each other in one position of said cross-beam, a fixed measuring point on said first longitudinal beam, a fixed measuring point on said cross-beam, and a measuring rod for engagement between said :fixed measuring points of such length as to complete the hypotenus of a right angled triangle of which the shortest line from the fixed measuring point on said first longitudinal beam to the contact surface of said stops constitutes one leg and the line from the fixed measuring point on said cross-beam to the point where said iirst line intersects said contact surface constitutesthe other leg, adjusting means carried by said second longitudinal beam and connected to the opposite end of said cross-beam for effecting limited adjustment of said opposite end independently of said screw means, measuring means on each of said longitudinal beams for indicating the position of the opposite ends of said cross-beam relative to said longitudinal beams, and measuring means on said cross-beam for indicating the position of said spindle relative to said cross-beam,

whereby said checking means and said adjusting means provide means for initially squaring said cross-beam relative to said rst longitudinal beam at one position of said cross-beam; said measuring means on each of said longitudinal beams and said adjusting means provide means for adjusting said cross-beam square relative to said rst longitudinal beam at all subsequent positions of said cross-beam; and, said measuring means on said rst longitudinal beam and on said crossbeam provide means for spotting said spindle. HENRY G. WHITMORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 182,887 Macomber Oct. 3, 1876 480,040 Saylor Aug. 2, 1892 1,022,051 Shanks Apr. 2, 1912 1,256,072 Stevenson Feb. 12, 1918 1,408,428 Anderson Mar. '7, 1922 1,424,988 Coughtry Aug. 8, 1922 2,081,288 Armitage May 25, 1937 2,167,189 Verderber July 25, 1939 2,249,121 Drescher July 15, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 261,985 Great Britain Dec. 2, 1926 

